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Clinton News-Record, 1984-05-30, Page 1THE BY FIELD ,UI -50-cents —No.22 Wednesday, May 30; 1984 Regulations limit access Clinton bylaw.controls pornomagazine sales By Shelley McPhee CLINTON -• Mayor Chester Archibald called it a "token gesture worth taking," and town councillors agreed that psfssing a bylaw to regulate the sale of adult magazines in Clinton, would help to control the availability of pornographic material. The new bylaw does not stop the sale of pornographic magazines and books, but restricts their display to higher, partially covered racks. Clinton stores selling adults magazines, are currently following these regulations. Councillor Charlie Burgess believes that the bylaw puts too much responsibility on the small business owner. He feels that the federal government and magazine publishers should take more action on pornography concerns. "The publishers are the problem," he said, "and will continue to be as long as big bucks are involved." Mayor Archibaldagreed with Councillor Burgess, but suggested that by passing the bylaw, Clinton council would be supporting pornography control efforts. He explained, "All municipal councils can do is pass this bylaw. That's as far as enabling legislation will allow. This is a gesture that we support the whole idea of banning pornographic material and it's a gesture worth making. We have no power here to go any further than this bylaw." Councillor John Deeves suggested that local churches could send letters to the area members of parliament He further noted; She explained that the United Church members, represented at the council meeting, supported the bylaw as a preventative measure to avoid future problems. John Maaskant of the Clinton Christian Reformed Church added, "We believe this type of bylaw shows good and responsible leadership. This type of pornography goes against what the Lord asks of us in his word." Mr. Maaskant noted . that studies have linked pornography with sexual violence problems. Councillor Deeves said he' has supported pornography restrictions through his church and he also favored the bylaw, but suggested, "It doesn't go far. enough, Violence can still be seen on TV. The only thing we're doing now is punishing local people. The bylaw doesn't go far enough." Mayor Archibald assured that the local police force would use responsbile judgement in their enforcement of the bylaw. The bylaw, initially passed by the City of London, requires adult magazines and books to be displayed five feet above floor level, behind an opaque barrier. An individual who contravenes the bylaw is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and one year imprisonment. The fine is set at $25,000 for a corporation who is found guilty of contraveningthe bylaw. Adult books or magazines, are defined in the bylaw as those "designed to appeal to "Passing a bylaw in. Clinton offers little .erotic or sexual appetites" through control when the material can be purchasedphotographic or drawing depiction on its in neighboring municipalities. mover. . �e` ent � Councillor Ross Carter suggested that the Clinton area churches were represented gg at the council meeting by a dozen, men and bylaw could mean that all books and magazines would have to be read and inspected, then displayed accordingly. Councillor Jim,Hunter noted that the bylaw only pertains to sexuality on the cover. If an adult magazine doesn't feature this, it may be displayed with other magazines. women. Mildred McAdam, spokesperson for the United Church, said that three outlets in Clinton sell adult books and she noted, "they are to be commended for already complying with ,display regulations." 8 • hfi H ,NLN,I Y . F;, 'v' M '.TAGGAl. K.•MACP tIE .1. K. t4� AI R ,M.. A E MO AU STI E.. PAT W Vii': • cO GUM Of GOD ;\N D 1' 1t.M ORY Of 111,0g, WHO DIED— T Rif, GOING ?OWNOfThE.,SUN. ` r AND N Ti L MORN11vG. T `\ U, 1;1rA11~,M5f'R •,IAMES f13, A new bylaw now regulates the display and sale of.adult magazines and books in Clinton. Stores in Clinton are currently following the regulations, illustrated here by' Gary Dykstra of Mac's Milk. (Shelley McPhee photo) County -employees get investment payments • Fifteen -year-old Bonnie Turner has earned national recognition from the Royal Canadian Legion. The Grade 10 student at Central Huron Secondary School wrote an essay on Remembrance Day last fall and it recently won the dominion competition. The essay was entered in the senior division from Grade 10, 11 12 and 13 students. Bonnie represented the province of Ontario and the Clinton Legion in the competition that involved between 1,800 and 1,900 Legion branches across Canada. Bonnie is the daughter of George and Nancy Turner of RR 4, Seaforth. (Shelley McPhee photo) By Stephanie Levesque Last year the clerk and deputy -clerk of Huron County . made $4,000 handling the estates of Huronview residents. Huron's deputy clerk -administrator Bill Alcock, told . the Bluewater Regional Newspaper Network on May 28, that both he and the clerk -administrator receive a finders' fee for investing about $3.4 million. of Huronview residents' assets. The two county enployees also received for the first time, a finders' fee for investing county reserve funds this year. Mr. Alcock said that in 1979, the clerk and deputy -clerk officially became agents for Victoria and Grey, an action approved by county council. The deputy clerk said at that time Vic- toria and Grey was the only trust company around, but now there is Standard Trust. So, earlier this year, the county reviewed its previous decision of having the two men act, as agents on behalf of the residents and agreed to extend that to Standard Trust. Mr. Alcock said the finders' fee is .about 1 per cent of what is invested, but it does de- pend on how many years the money is being invested. "We look at it as part of our salary," said Mr. Alcock. The clerk's 1984sal�hi y"is $46,228 and the deputy clerk's is $39,000. The deputy clerk said the finders' fee does not cost the taxpayer any money and saves the residents' money. The county, said Mr. John Ross, Vanastra Public School principal, (above) would like to see Vanastra children continue their studies within the Tuckersmith suburb. Mr. Ross is a member of the school's accommodation review committee which was formed to clarify reasons why the school should remain open, despite declining enrollment. The committee will take their presentation to an open meeting with the Board of Education on June 4. (Wendy Somerville photo) Residents speak out on Vanastra School closing By Wendy Somerville VANASTRA - The future of the Vanastra Public School was discussed by a crowd of more than 50 people at a public meeting held here on May 23. ' Late last year, Vanastra Public School, along with Hensall Public School and McCurdy Public School in Huron Park were brought to the Huron County Board of Education's attention when studies were approved to determine if the schools were "educationally viable." Concerned citizens attending last week's meeting heard the committee's recommendations, expressed their ideas and asked questions. The residents heard from John Ross, Vanastra Public School principal, who discussed the advantages and `''disadvantages of the 1,aaastra,,:. ;Pubh School experience. He said he used three sources to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the school, by talking to the current school staff, through a survey conducted two years ago and a questionnaire sent out this year. ` He spoke of the advantages for the children, the staff and the community. He. said that because the students do not have to be bussed to and from school, they are able to become more involved with extra- curricular activities, and they receive more individual attention from the staff because of the lower enrolment. Mrs. Ross said that the staff is, ."young and energetic," and they are able to deal with the child on a total basis. They are also able to support the community because all their students are from the same area, they provide warmth and friendliness, a friendly Alcock, could have the trust companies in- vest the money for the residents. One method would cost about $250 per resident, and there are approximately 300 residents. Another method would cost abut $120,000 based on a fee of 1.25 per cent on the prin- cipal plus five per cent on such things as in- terest. . • The deputy -clerk said there . is more in- volved in handling the estates than dealing with paperwork. In many cases he is in charge of selling off estates for residents and spends afterhours' time on these details. As for the county -reserve account, Mr. Alcock said those funds had, until January or this year, always been invested with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. At that time, short term interest rates were higher at the trust companies and the county money was invested, with the trust companies. Mr'. Alcock said $600,000 in reserves, in $60,000 chunks, was invested. The county made $1,600 more in interest than would have been made if the money was left in the bank. The deputy -clerk said he and Mr. Hanly can split $80 for that transaction. "To be honest though, I didn't know we'd get a commission on the reserves," said Mr. Alcock, The executive committee of Huron County Council is considering establishing guidelines for its employees: County Council opposes electoral boundary changes A proposed change in the electoral boundaries, which would effectively reduce rural representation in the Ontario Legislature, was vehemently opposed by Huron County Council at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday. Council was responding to a report by the Electoral Boundaries Commission, which suggests that the riding of Huron -Bruce be split, reducing rural Ontario's representation. Murray Elston, Huron -Bruce MPP, asked for council's support in asking the government to maintain the rural voice in the Legislature thereby ensuring that agriculture and. rural municipalities ard• given a high priority in the governmet t. Council agreed to oppose the recommendations of the preliminary report claiming it was becoming impossible for rural members to properly represent their constituents because of the larger areas they represent. "Rural constituents do not have the. benefit of government offices being situated in their communities as do those in highly urbanized areas and therefore, .it becomes increasingly important that constituency offices be close at hand. It is our opinion that the rural voice in the Ontario government must be maintained or increased rather 'than decreased," the resolution read. Council unanimously endorsed the motion of the executive committee. atmosphere for the students and are able to help aid the children in their growth and general development. One of the main advantages for the community is that the school is a, "drawing card" for industry and families. Mr. Ross noted that the school creates roots and pride; something that is the automatic inheritance of children in an older community. . "Without this (roots. and pride) the children will not be able to grow and perhaps not survive," stressed Mr. Ross. He then explained the disadvantages of a smaller school. According to Mr. Ross, there is little 'inter -grade competition and this often frustrates the students. He related • an incident where the students were competing in a local track meet, but could not accumulate enough points because there were not enough- students• to- enter all the categories. "Some students from other schools had accumulated more points. than our entire • school combined,',' he said. "This type of thing can really frustrate the kids." Another disadvantage is that the children spend much of their time with one group of students, Mr. Ross said this cuts down on needed interaction apparent in larger schools. `' V He said the school is lacking in 'class materials and gym equipment and the building is its a poor state of repair. Review committee member Sally Rathwell addressed the audience on the future development plans for the school. She explained the school's enrolment procedures in Huron County. She pointed out Turn to page 3 Gay ordination rejected by United Church Presbytery vine United'Church - remained undecided. "I'm sitting on the fence," she said. "That is where I find myself. They (gays)`have a lotto share.',' The presbytery, which represents 18,000. members in 46 pastoral charges in Huron . and Perth, called the meeting to' gauge response to a recently released church report. That special report - entitled Sexual. Orientation 'and Eligibility For the Order of Ministry.- called for the ordination of self - declared homosexuals, and we endorsed by the church's national division of ministry personnel and education. The United Church is now asking for the opinions of its members across Canada before ruling on the issue. Another motion calling for the church's general council to appoint another, more representative committee to make a second study of the issue was nearly, unanimously defeated by delegates at the meeting. As one delegate said, "The United Church has more important places to spend its money." By Wilma Oke SEAFORTH - Local members of the United Church resoundingly rejected or- daining active homosexuals as ministers at a special meeting in Mitchell on May.15. In a show of hands, 59 delegates represen- ting the Huron -Perth Presbytery of the United Church of Canada voted no to allow- ing gay ministers in the pulpit. Fifteen delegates voted in favor of ordaining homosexuals. More than 150 people turned out at Mit- chell's Main Street United Church to voice their opinion in one of the church's hottest issues today. And while emotions were in check, the feelings voiced were insistent. "We do have to take a stand," said Grace Pym, of Exeter. "I cannot see declared homosexuals in the pulpit. They would say, 'You said I can be ordained so I can practise. what the homosexuals practise." Another delegate said,•"In the church yes, don't shut the door on anyone. In the pulpit, no. I do not feel that is where they should be, working with our youth." • Other delegates - such as Rev. Cheryl Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, minister of Egmond- Public input needed CLINTON - The main objective of the Clinton town hall steering committee is, "to promote and encourage the use of the Clinton Town hall by citizens and visitors of Clinton.- , The committee set down in writing their priorities and goals at a May 23 meeting. The committee was formed in mid-March at a public -meeting to oversee the future uses of the town hall auditorium. Committee members, representing various clubs and service organizations, include Chairman Roy Wheeler, Clinton Councillor Ross Carter, Recreation Director Kevin Duguay, Jarle Fisher, Reg Thompson, Judy Stuart, Marilyn McMahon, John Balfour and Jo Winter. The goals of the steering committee have been developed and approved by the town council. The prime goal is to promote and encourage use of the auditorium and the committee believes this can be done by several means. The group is working to present a grand opening ceremony and program. As well they hope to establish the town hall as the cultural centre for Clinton and promote its use for special events, displays, , professional workshops and seminars and general leisure activities!. The committee will be staging a public survey to determine the types of programs and events Clinton and area residents would like to see at the town hall. Committee member Kevin Duguay noted, "Your co-operation in completing a survey questionnaire would ensure a program of activities meeting your needs." Individuals returning the survey questionnaires will be eligible for one of three $10 gift certificates being offered .by local merchants.